Carney condemns ‘display of hate’ near former Kamloops residential school

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 29, 2026

Photo courtesy: Castanet Kamloops

OTTAWA, Canada — Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned a gathering of masked individuals at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in British Columbia, calling the incident an “abhorrent” display of hate just days before Canada marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The incident took place Sunday, September 27, near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, where a group of masked individuals was seen gathering on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory.

“The cowardly act that took place at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc yesterday is abhorrent. It has no place in this country,” Carney said in a statement Monday.

The prime minister said his thoughts were with those affected by what he described as a “disgusting display of hate,” while linking the incident to Canada’s continuing work toward reconciliation.

Carney noted that Canada will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, saying the occasion serves as a reminder of the country’s responsibility to confront the residential school system’s legacy and its continuing consequences.

“Courageous Survivors shared the truth, so that all Canadians could take up the work of reconciliation,” Carney said.

According to Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir, the First Nation received reports of roughly 30 masked men gathering in the community Sunday morning. Reports identified the individuals as appearing to be associated with Second Sons Canada, which Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc described as linked to white supremacist and white nationalist ideology. 

Photos and videos circulated online showing masked individuals dressed largely in black near the former residential school. Members of the group were later seen at the Pacific Way overpass above the Trans-Canada Highway displaying a banner reading “Got bones?” 

The RCMP is investigating the incident. Police have asked anyone with information, photographs or video footage to contact the Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP or Kamloops RCMP. 

Casimir said the incident would not deter the community from gathering and honoring residential school survivors and children ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

September 30 is observed across Canada as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honoring children who never returned home from residential schools, survivors of the system and their families and communities.